Program Officer - Community-Based Conservation

CAPI has nearly 20 years of experience in the Asia-Pacific region and consists of a Director, three professional staff, and three Program Chairs with expertise in Southeast Asia, the Pacific, China and Japan. Mandated by the Government of Canada and the University of Victoria to expand and strengthen links with the Asia-Pacific region, CAPI maintains an extensive network of partners and Associates throughout Canada and the Asia-Pacific region and carries out multidisciplinary initiatives including international projects and conferences, public lectures, publications, communications, research and policy development. In addition to our international conferences and networks, CAPI is involved with two CIDA-funded projects in Vietnam and Cambodia focusing on governance. Our internship project, now in its fifth year, is a vital component of our international work and benefits substantially from the fact that we are in the region on a regular basis, and have very strong links with our partner organizations. CAPI also draws upon significant expertise in its staff, Chairs, and Associates to provide training and mentorship to the young people who participate in our project.

Focusing on some of the poorest communities, and in areas that are most
vulnerable to natural disasters and environmental damage, MCD strives to
improve the quality of life of coastal communities and the ecosystems on which
their lives depend. MCD carries out this mandate through community-based work
in a variety of areas including conducting social and environmental
assessments, improving the welfare of women, developing programming to support
sustainable livelihoods, and building community capacity for self
sufficiency.

As the Program Officer - Community-Based Conservation the intern will be
directly involved in MCD's Trao Reef Marine Reserve Project. This project has
focused on the conservation and management of coastal reef ecosystems and
resources in Khanh Hoa province, and specifically on improving local
socio-economic conditions by piloting small scale sustainable livelihoods
projects, supporting indigenous knowledge, and increasing the participation of
key stakeholders (including the poor, youth and women). The intern will link
this work with the Locally Managed Marine Area Network (LMMA Network) which has
been set up to share best-practices in community-based marine conservation,
through the sharing of knowledge, skills, information and resources across the
Indo-Pacific region.

In Canada
Prior to departure, the intern will: conduct research into community-based
conservation in Asia; become familiar with relevant international mechanisms;
and meet with a minimum of three Community Contacts. Upon return to Canada, the
intern will carry out a variety of public engagement activities including a
presentation at the University of Victoria and a presentation in her/his
community. The intern will also be expected to meet with Community Contacts and
provide an overview of the work they were involved in at MCD.

Overseas
In Vietnam the intern will work with the MCD staff in their Trao Reef
Marine Reserve Project and will assist MCD staff in applying the methodology
and lessons learned to other sites in Vietnam. The intern will also assist MCD
in linking their experiences to the international LMMA Network, and in raising
the national and international profile of MCD's work in coastal resource
management and community-based conservation.

Organisation d'accueil :

Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development

Détails au sujet de l'organisation d'accueil :

MCD was set up in 2003 to carry out conservation and development in coastal areas of Vietnam, with a focus on those areas and communities most vulnerable to natural disasters and environmental damage. MCD strives to ensure that the quality of life of coastal communities, and the ecosystems on which their lives depend, are significantly improved, and that communities are recognized as key stakeholders and partners in sustainable development. MCD has carried out community-based work in eight provinces including: conducting social and environmental assessments, strengthening community capacity, improving the welfare of women, developing sustainable livelihoods, and building community capacity for self sufficiency. CAPI has worked closely with MCD's sister organization, Community Conservation Network, and several of MCD's partners in the region, all of whom participate in the Locally Managed Marine Area Network. MCD has been highly recommended as an excellent placement site for our interns. MCD has had experience hosting interns in the past.